Anna Straker - 'London Knows'

Anna Straker shows a different side to her sound on beautiful new single ‘London Knows’, replacing electro-tinged alt-pop with tender emotions and unguarded vulnerability. 

‘London Knows’ hits different. It cuts deep with disarming vocals that seem to fill every inch of your body and heart-shatteringly emotive lyricism – “When will this end? Will I be myself again?” It tears you apart, leaving gaping wounds that are immediately soothed by softly melancholic piano lines and delicate harmonies. ‘London Knows’ is a track of healing. "Last year, I was a victim of a sexual assault whilst on holiday in Bangkok,” Anna reveals. “What started as a fun night out ended up with me being lost for hours, drugged with something so strong that I forgot my own name. It was the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me and I was traumatised. Coming back home I felt so different. I wrote this song about healing, and the uncertainty of recovery. Knowing I was going to feel better one day but not knowing when and hoping that London will eventually feel like home again.”

‘London Knows’ is beyond impressive. Not only in its mesmerising soundscape and raw, honest songwriting but in the sheer strength it showcases. Instead of letting tragedy break her, Anna turned her pain into something beautiful. Talking about the song, she adds: “I hope you listen to this song and remember that whatever the world throws at you, you can be whole again, you can recover, and you can heal."

Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven

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